Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

The efficacy and tolerance of a valerian tablet (Valeriana officinalis) was evaluated against placebo in the treatment of insomnia (E.U. Vorbach and K.H. Arnold). This randomized, double-blind study was conducted on 121 patients with diagnosed insomnia not due to organic causes. Patients were studied over four weeks and the daily dosage of valerian extract was 600 mg (equivalent to about 2400 mg of dried root and rhizome) taken in the evening.

A major challenge facing healthcare practitioners today is safe and non-addictive medications for anxiety and insomnia. This category has largely been dominated in the last two decades by benzodiazepines like diazepam and alprazolam. While these drugs have been very useful in the management of more severe cases of anxiety, potential addiction and serious side effects secondary to withdrawal have cast a shadow over their long-term efficacy.